Goodbye 2011...Hello 2012

Hilton Head Island

Disney on Ice

Cinderella

Cason's blessing (Pittman Family)

Braves game

I love to reflect back on the year and remember what all we have done and then to look forward to what's coming ahead in the next year. Neil even gets involved with my end of the year posts to help me remember!

2011

We celebrated Addison's 2nd Birthday in March along with her first stomach bug the day before her big party (yuck)! Neil finished his school year and started his rotations, which he has loved (for the most part)! Two of our nephews, Brandon and Payton, turned 12 and received the Aaronic priesthood. Two of our nieces, Kali (May) and Grace (July) both turned 1 this year! We took 2 trips to Atlanta to see good friends of ours sealed in the temple and then another trip with my mom, sister, and our girls for the Atlanta Temple Open House and visited the American Girl store.

I finished my 5th year teaching in May and had a wonderful summer with Addison. We found out that we are expecting our second baby in June (Happy Father's Day to Neil)! We went to Hilton Head for 2 days for a mini-vacation to the beach! We welcomed a new baby nephew, Cason, to our family in July!

I started my 6th year teaching in August and found out our new bundle of joy is going to be a BOY in September. We took a trip with some friends to Atlanta to a BRAVES game! Addison started wearing "panties" in September and now is officially potty trained (except at night). Addison and I went to Disney on Ice in October and we loved it!

We celebrated Halloween with a little princess (Cinderella) and then got to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with both of our families! I was released from my Young Women's calling and Neil was released as Elder's Quorum President after 5 years and called to be Executive Secretary.

We finished the year off by buying a 2011 Toyota Sienna (van) and we're celebrating the New Year at home with Neil enduring the stomach virus (yuck)!

2012

Our nephew, Ryan, will turn 8 February 7th and baptized on the 11th. The arrival of our baby boy, Eli Wesley, expected due date February 29, 2012! Addison will turn 3 on March 5th! Neil finishes PA school the end of March, takes the PANCE test in April, and after the results will officially be Physician Assistant!!!!! Our niece, Katelyn, will turn 8 and be baptized June 4th! Our nephew Cason will turn 1 in July!

I can't wait to see what else we have in store for 2012! Happy New Year!!!

Growing Up A Little Too Fast???

One night before bed...I was changing Addison into her pull up and pajamas. When she ran to her purse and got her money "fake dollar" and put it in her pull up. I asked her what she was doing and she told me she needed her money. I promise I haven't taught her that and Neil isn't either...that just our silly girl :)

She also decided she wanted to listen to her cousin's Ipod. I couldn't resist taking a picture!

One Year Difference

2010

2011

See the difference 1 year can make...

Christmas Sneak Peek

These are just a few shots from all of our Christmas adventures! We had a blast together! This was the first year that Addison could really understand a little about Christmas, Santa, Jesus' birthday, etc. We started the holidays off with our downtown Statesboro Christmas celebration, which was also her first visit to see Santa this year. She loved him! She walked right up and sat on his lap, then we saw him three more times throughout December and every time she loved him and asked to see him. She learned several Christmas songs at school and has been singing them at the top of her lungs since. She knows Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. They are all in her own words (versions), but how I love to hear them! She even sings them aloud in the grocery cart at Walmart to anyone who will listen or just to hear herself...did I mention, I have a little singer on my hands...apparently it runs in the Wilkerson family. Now, how do I get her to stop the Christmas songs??? I'm at a loss on that one!

She had Polar Express Day at school and got to wear her pajamas to school! Only after a huge fit because according to Addison "You can't wear pajamas to school mommy". Then after I convinced her it was okay, she didn't want to wear the adorable Christmas gown, but her Santa monkey pajamas. When did my child become opinionated about her clothing? Also, she only wants to wear pink dresses to church!

I had a wonderful Christmas time with my kids at school. I love their excitement and anticipation of the big day!

We had a few Christmas parties here and there and enjoyed getting to spend time with our friends. Then we took off for a week journey to visit both of our families. Addison decided the best thing about visiting family is COUSINS! She can't get enough of play time with her cousins and I love that she loves them so much. She asks for them individually by name at different times or tells me something funny that one of them did now that we are back home! She also loves her grandparents and enjoyed being spoiled to pieces by them.

Her big gift from Santa this year was a doll house. I love to watch her sit her dolls in the house and little van and watch her imagination. She can make up some scenarios...except they sound very familiar to what our life is like sometimes!

We also tried to teach Addison about the true meaning of Christmas this year! We let her play with our nativity set this year (even though it is breakable). She didn't break any pieces and loved baby Jesus and handled Him with extra care. Everywhere he went, Mary wasn't far behind because that's His mommy Addison would say! We got a fisher price set after Christmas on sale and I opened it for her to play with and you should see all the places they go. Addison really likes for them to ride in her doll house van! Maybe we'll work on keeping them in the manger next year!

I even threw in a prego picture for everyone! I was 30 weeks (7 1/2 months pregnant)! We are starting the countdown around here for baby Eli. I can't wait for next Christmas to celebrate with both of them. I tried to picture what next Christmas will be like with two, but just couldn't picture it yet!

Hope everyone else had a FABULOUS Christmas!!!

Cutie!!!

I just uploaded some pictures and fell in love with this one!

Think BLUE

I went at 15 weeks to my doctor's appointment with high hopes of finding out what the baby was, but I was trying really hard to not be disappointed if I didn't get to find out. Neil and Addison both went with because it was Neil's off week and the only appointment he'll probably get to go to. Being a PA student and working Monday-Friday doesn't leave room for him to slip out to my doctor's appointments. I think that is why I was hoping so much to find out the gender of the baby because we would get to do it together. This was also the first appointment that Addison went to. I just hate to torture her and drag her to boring appointments when she can play with friends. Thanks to all my sweet friends who keep her for my appointments!!!

This was the first time getting to see the doctor that actually delivered Addison two years ago. It was fun to introduce her to Addison and they became instant friends. We asked her nurse when we could possibly find out what the baby was and she said she wasn't sure that she would ask the doctor. The doctor came in and said that we were her last appointment and she said? "I guess will see if we can find out" and so we had a "courtesy check" to see what the baby was. After she said that, I really didn't hear much of the appointment...I was too excited to find out.

The doctor and Addison walked hand in hand to the ultrasound room. I was a little out of it...maybe it was the shock of getting to find out, the way the doctor was taking such an interest in my sweet little girl, making sure the sweet little girl was on her best behavior, that the doctor, ultrasound tech, and nurse were all anxiously awaiting with Neil and I, and/or we had to stop at the bathroom because yes...we were in the process of potty training (which now we are potty trained in panties, except nap time and night time).

Right when the ultrasound tech started, everyone started laughing, even Neil. I was busy watching Addison jump on and off of the doctor's squatted knee when I heard the laughing. The doctor said, "He is showing you he's a boy already". It took me a second until I realized that she said HE. I asked it's a boy? and she said yes. That is definitely a boy. He was holding his boy parts for us to see! I was in complete shock...I just thought that my pregnancies were a lot similar and that I live in such a girl world that I was going to have another girl.

I turned to tell Addison that she was going to have a brother and she said, "No". She had been telling us she was having a sisser (sister). She has come around to the idea of having a brother now, though.

So, now we are thinking BLUE! For the most part, all of our baby gear is gender neutral! I've picked up a few boy outfits here and there and continue to keep my eyes open for good deals! My mom already bought him an outfit (she's a little excited, even though this is number 11)! I feel like I'm starting all over with a boy! Maybe I'll have enough blue by the time He gets here!

Neil is thrilled about having a son! He was pretty set on having all girls! We already decided on a name...Eli Wesley Wilkerson. It's the same name we liked if Addison was going to be a boy. Eli comes from Neil's great grandfather and great-great grandfather. The Wesley is Neil's middle name (also Neil's great grandfather's name).

Similarities and Differences

I'm exactly 14 weeks pregnant! The majority of morning sickness has subsided and now I'm back into my routine of working and being a mom! I wanted to remember some of the differences between this pregnancy and when I was pregnant with Addison.

Similarities

I felt exactly the same "pregnancy" naseaous feeling all day long. I still gag myself sometimes when I brush my teeth. I get the same rush of excitement and overwhelming feeling of love when I get to hear the baby's heartbeat and/or see him/her in an ultrasound. I know I'm only 14 weeks, but I still don't show any signs of having a pregnant belly, which I really didn't grow out of my regular pants with Addison until 18 weeks, so it's looking like I'm going to wait awhile longer to show this time too.

Differences

I threw up a lot more with Addison, but felt naseous for about a week and a half longer (3 1/2 weeks) this time. I was a lot more tired with Addison, but it probably has a lot to do with not thinking that much about it now, because I'm busy chasing around a 2 year old! It has taken me a whole lot longer to get my appetite back with this pregnancy. I don't have to use the bathroom as much this time, but yet heartburn has started a lot earlier (2 months compared to 6 months). I couldn't stand the smell of peanut butter with Addison, it doesn't bother me this time. I have a lot more patience with my job and with life in general (it might be because I'm getting older and/or I'm too tired to care about somethings) :)

We've told Addison about us having another baby, but she doesn't understand. She can point to my stomach when I ask her, "Where's mommy's baby?". She says the baby is a girl when we ask if it's a boy or girl. I'm hoping we'll find out within the next month!!! I can tell you though, the new baby is going to ROCK our little Addison's world. She is use to being the center of attention and enjoying mommy and daddy all by herself! We're hoping she'll adjust well and "help" with the new baby just like she takes care of her baby dolls!!!

I'm looking forward to finding out the gender, pulling out all the baby stuff, seeing Addison with her new brother/sister, and of course holding my sweet new baby! Until then...I'm enjoying watching my 2 year old grow more independent and learning so much about her little world and enjoying my adorable second grade students!

Surviving

I'm really typing this to help myself feel better. I am only 7 weeks pregnant and the morning sickness has begun. I've tried to be a trooper. It really started at 6 weeks for just a little bit at night and then over the next week it has progressed from about 1 hour of feeling yucky to almost all day feeling yucky. I shouldn't be complaining, because I have not thrown up yet (knock on wood), I just feel nauseous all the time. I'm starving, but the thought of food makes me cringe. I have to force myself to eat a little though. Oh, the joys of motherhood. This lasted 2 weeks with Addison, I'm praying and hoping this pregnancy will work the same way!!!

As far as Addison goes, she's been unaffected by the whole problem (thank goodness)!!! She's happy with her toys and an occasional ride to anywhere to get out. She reminds me of how well worth this morning sickness will be in 8 months!!! Neil is also a trooper...he's helped so much with Addison and trying to figure out what I would like to eat! I'm so thankful for my little family! Right now, we're just hanging on waiting for mommy to feel better so we can get back to having lots of fun on our summer off!!!

Baby # 2

Yes, it's true...we are having another baby! We are so excited to go through the whole excitement of pregnancy again and especially to get to share it with our Addison. She is going to be a GREAT big sister!

As far as gender...we don't care! Although, I think Neil is secretly hoping for a little boy (to do "boy" stuff with) and I just think how much girl stuff that we have that could easily be put onto baby #2. But, I also would be just as happy to go buy boy stuff too! We are just praying for a healthy baby. So, we'll see in a couple of months!!!

You Know You're Old When...

you get excited about buying a cooler! Yes, as of yesterday, we are proud owners of a cooler. It only took 5 and 1/2 years of being married and we finally agreed that we needed one. There have been several times that Neil and I wished we had a cooler, but we always just figured out another way or borrowed one from our neighbor or friends. However, they had a great sale at Walgreens and I bought one. I told Neil about how excited I was that we could put our last name on the side with permanent marker! Isn't that what everyone does with their cooler? He just smiled at me with one of his "you're a little crazy smiles" and went on. I can't help that I'm excited about the Wilkerson cooler!!! It's the little things that make me happy :)

"US" Time

Tomorrow is my last day of school for my students. Then Addison and I have 2 more days of post planning and then it's FREEDOM for 2 whole months (8 weeks)!!! Don't get me wrong...I love teaching and my adorable students, but I love my summers off!

Let's see, what are we going to do??? Well, we'll have a visit to my sister's in Jacksonville (which includes getting to welcome a new niece or nephew to the family, but not my sister's...my brother's fourth child), a visit from her and my adorable nieces and nephew here at our house, a couple days in Atlanta while Neil is out of school (hoping to go to the aquarium and Stone Mountain), a couple of visits with my parents (along with a beach trip), at least a weekend in Willacoochee with Neil's parents and family, we'll have a visit with Neil's sister and her husband and our nieces and nephews, which we enjoy the water park, I do have to set up my "new" classroom :( (but I get to be with my two best friends who are across the hall, so I shouldn't complain and I'll be recruiting, begging, and pleading for anybody who wants to help), lots of craft projects and "to do" things that I want to get to (which includes painting a couple of rooms and going through closets), back to serious potty training, and lots of pool time, friend time, shopping time and really anything as long as it involves the two of us...together time!!! I can't wait until Friday, so I can get started on my list and enjoy being a stay at home mommy for 2 months!!!

Families Can Be Together Forever

We were fortunate enough to get to go to Atlanta this past weekend to share an important day with our friends, the Hodges. Their family was sealed in the Atlanta temple this past weekend. It was a long awaited day for this family and we felt so blessed to get to be apart of it. Nicole and I teach together and work in Young Womens together, so it was great to get to share in their special day! Their girls are just precious! It was truly an answer to many prayers sent up above! Thanks for letting us be there, we love you guys!

I was also excited to get a family picture of us. Of course, we have to have some shots of Addison.

This is what you get when you tell her to say "Cheese"

Water Day

Addison had water day at school the other day. We had the swimsuit, put on the sunglasses, put on the sunscreen and were ready for the water, except she didn't want anything to do with the water...but I guess not when you have free reins to the tricycles while the big kids are busy playing in the water!

We learned something new...Addison takes after her daddy, she loves WATERMELON! She ate almost the whole piece. Looks like we'll be eating lots of watermelon this summer!!!

Updates

Neil starts a pretty adventurous day tomorrow! He will begin his rotations! He has been in PA school for a year and 3 months, where he has lectures upon lectures, pretend patients upon patients, tests after tests, hours and hours of studying, and now the "real" part begins! He is starting in family medicine and then working his way through eight rotations of different specialties. His least favorite that he is not looking forward to is OBGYN. His favorite falls in surgery, dermatology, pediatrics (for Addison) and cardiology. For him, he has the majority of his rotations here in Statesboro, so no more daily commuting to Savannah (especially with the rise in gas prices)! (If he was typing this...I'm sure there are fancy terms for all of the above). I relate it to student teaching, but at least I don't deal with life or death! What does this mean for me? Seeing as it's my post, we'll I'm not sure. I'm hoping more free time at night and on the weekends, but I won't hold my breath. He will be on call, if whatever doctor he works with is on call. Which means life may become more hectic for him (or me). What I'm worried about the most: I haven't spent a night by myself in a long time...maybe at college (I at least had roommates) or when I was home for the summer from college and mom and dad were on vacation (at least 5+ years ago). As my mom would say, "You have to put your big girl panties on and deal"! So, if Addison sleeps with me and all the lights are on...don't worry!

I was thinking about how I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with Neil getting closer to finishing school. He might have normal work hours with less studying. He's been in school since we've been married, so we don't know any different. But I'm realizing that in a year he'll get a job and then he'll be extremely busy with getting settled in and depending on work hours, on call or not on call, life will still be busy, but different busy, just like now. Except he gets paid! It only took me 5 years to learn that we'll always be CRAZY busy and the light at the end of the tunnel is just a different busy, but it's our busy together that matters!!! I hope that made sense to you, it made perfect sense to me!

Other notes, Addison and the potty stressed mommy out to the point of putting the pull-ups in the closest and will try again over the summer. She started screaming and crying when I encouraged her to go potty. It became a dreaded potty scene of tears, dragging, and no success.

Also, I have had lots of people ask me if I curl Addison's hair. Because she has perfect ringlets and I obviously have straight as a board hair, but NO, I don't get up extra early to curly my 2 year olds hair or do I make her wear curlers to bed. She gets her curly hair from her dad. He keeps it cut really short to hide the curls! But, his mom and I have pictures to prove the curls!!! I get a kick out of people asking if I curl her hair though!?! I barely have enough time to get myself ready, her ready and out the door on time. Not to mention the mental picture of trying to get her still long enough to curl her hair...so, it's all natural. I worry about cutting her hair, because I would cry if her curls went away!

A crazy hair day

Even in pony tails it curls

I hear a little cry from the bed, so off I go! Good luck to my sweet husband, I'm so proud of you!!!

Potty Time

Addison has been very interested in going to the potty since the beginning of February. So, we bought her a little potty and she pooped in it the very next day. We tried for a couple of days at daycare, but she just wouldn't go pee in the potty, but would sit for as long as they wanted her to (my very obedient child...at daycare at least). At home, she'll poop, but no pee (I thought it was supposed to be the other way around)! I ordered DORA pull ups the other day and they came today! We tried them on and sat her on the potty twice in 10 minutes and nothing...so I told her to go show daddy her big girl pull ups. In between running to show daddy she wet the pull up!!! Ahhh...we'll try again tomorrow and the next day and the next! Sorry if this was too much info for you...just couldn't help but share our big steps of potty training!!!

Birthday FUN

Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends all showed up for Addison's b-day party!!! The weather stayed decent and the food lasted for the whole party! Lots of cake and ice cream to eat...just couldn't get much better!

We were nervous about having the party because Addison was getting over the stomach bug that surprised us yesterday afternoon. But, I'm so glad we went ahead and had her party after knowing she was feeling better this morning! Thanks to all those who came and for those who wanted to be there!

We are blessed to have our little girl and to have such wonderful people in our little girl's life who love her so much!

Happy 2nd Birthday Addison

Amazing how fast time flies!!! I can't believe that the gorgeous little baby I gave birth to two years ago turned into a smart, fun loving, adorable little girl! She's not so much a baby anymore, but is quickly becoming a big girl! I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my sweet Addison. You have brought me more joy and happiness into my life than I could have ever imagined!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!!